Truck Accidents vs. Car Crashes: Why Truck Accidents Are More Complex

Motor vehicle accidents can be devastating, but when a passenger car collides with a large commercial truck, the consequences are often far more severe. In New Jersey, trucking accidents are not just bigger in scale—they are also legally and procedurally more complex. Victims of truck accidents often face unique challenges, from dealing with multiple liable parties to navigating federal and state trucking regulations. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, understanding these complexities is crucial to securing the compensation you deserve.

Size and Weight Differences: Why Trucks Cause More Damage

Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, significantly more than the average passenger car, which weighs around 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. This massive size disparity means:

• Greater impact force, leading to catastrophic injuries
• Higher risk of multi-vehicle pileups
• Increased difficulty in stopping or maneuvering to avoid a collision

According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), truck accidents are more likely to result in fatalities or life-altering injuries than standard car crashes. This means that injury claims related to truck accidents typically involve higher medical costs, lost wages, and long-term rehabilitation.

Stricter Regulations for the Trucking Industry

Unlike standard car accidents, truck accidents involve state and federal regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) impose strict guidelines on commercial truck drivers and trucking companies. Key regulations include:

• Hours of Service (HOS) Limits: Truck drivers must adhere to rules limiting their time behind the wheel. In New Jersey, a truck driver can only operate for 11 consecutive hours after 10 hours off duty.
• Maintenance and Inspection Requirements: Trucks must undergo regular inspections and maintenance checks to ensure their safety on the road.
• Weight and Cargo Limits: Overloaded trucks are a major hazard. New Jersey law sets weight limits for different classes of commercial vehicles to prevent excessive wear on roads and unsafe driving conditions.

Violations of these regulations can directly contribute to truck accidents, making them a key factor in proving negligence in a personal injury case.

Multiple Liable Parties in Truck Accidents

In a typical car crash, liability usually falls on one of the drivers involved. Truck accidents, however, can involve multiple responsible parties, including:

• Truck Driver: If reckless driving, fatigue, or intoxication played a role.
• Trucking Company: If they failed to enforce safety regulations or pushed drivers to exceed legal limits.
• Cargo Loaders: If improper loading causes a truck to become unbalanced or spill hazardous materials.
• Truck Manufacturer or Maintenance Provider: If mechanical failure contributed to the accident.

New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule (N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1), meaning that if the injured party is found to be less than 50% at fault, they can still recover damages. Still, their compensation will be reduced by their percentage of fault.

Higher Insurance Coverage and More Complex Claims

Truck accidents involve substantial insurance policies, often covering millions of dollars in liability. However, trucking companies and insurers will aggressively defend against claims to minimize payouts. This includes:

• Denying liability by shifting blame to other drivers or external factors
• Delaying settlements to pressure victims into accepting lower compensation
• Disputing injury severity using medical experts hired by the insurance company

In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident claim is two years from the date of the accident (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2), making it essential to take legal action quickly.

More Severe Injuries and Higher Medical Costs

Due to the sheer force of impact, truck accidents often result in:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Severe burns and amputations
• Multiple fractures and internal organ damage

New Jersey law allows victims to recover damages for:

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Wrongful death claims for families who lost loved ones (N.J.S.A. 2A:31-1)

Investigating a Truck Accident vs. a Car Crash

Truck accidents require extensive investigations, often involving accident reconstruction specialists, trucking logs, and data from onboard electronic control modules (black boxes). Key pieces of evidence include:

• Driver’s logbooks and HOS records
• Truck maintenance history
• Cargo loading records
• Surveillance footage and dashcam videos
• Eyewitness testimonies

Because trucking companies may try to alter or destroy evidence, it’s crucial to hire an attorney as soon as possible to secure vital records through a spoliation letter.

Involved in a Truck Accident? Get a Free Consultation Now!

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in New Jersey, you don’t have to navigate the complexities alone. The legal team at Rosengard Law Group has extensive experience handling truck accident cases and fighting for maximum victim compensation. We understand the state and federal trucking laws that apply to your case and have the resources to take on large trucking companies and insurers.

Time is critical—New Jersey’s statute of limitations limits how long you must file a claim. Contact Rosengard Law Group today for a free consultation, and let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Now or call us at (856) 284-6446.